For many years, the Humane Society of Catawba County has recognized that Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most humane and effective way to manage and reduce the population of feral and stray cats — the cats we call "Community Cats."

A feral cat is unsocialized and tends to be fearful of people, keeping its distance. Community Cats most often live outdoors near a food source, in groups called colonies. Most colonies originate from unsterilized stray and roaming owned cats — which is exactly why spay/neuter is the key to managing them humanely.

The Feral Cat Package

Our Feral Cat Package is $50 and includes spay/neuter surgery, a rabies vaccine, and an ear-tip. (Pricing does not include pregnancy or cryptorchid surgeries.)

An ear-tip is the universal sign of an altered feral cat: under anesthesia, about one centimeter is removed from the tip of the left ear in a straight line. It's readily visible from a distance, making it easy for caretakers and animal control to identify a cat that has already been fixed.

Scheduling & Protocol

• By appointment
  Feral cat package appointments must be scheduled by calling the shelter at (828) 464-8878. These appointments cannot be booked online. We perform a limited number of feral surgeries per day, so please call ahead.
  
  
• Prepaid
  All feral surgeries, including the package, must be paid in full before the day of surgery. Surgery will not be performed if payment has not been made.
  
  
• In a humane trap
  Feral cats must be brought in a humane trap — one cat per trap — and will be returned to the trap after surgery. Our staff cannot accept a feral cat for surgery in a regular carrier.
  
  
• Check-in & recovery
  Arrive at HSCC at 7:30 a.m. for check-in. After surgery, keep your feral cat in a secure, warm, dry location for at least 48 hours so the incision can heal.

Trap Rentals

HSCC rents humane traps for a seven-day period. The rental fee is $50: $40 covers spay/neuter surgery for the captured cat (including a one-year rabies vaccine and ear-tip), and $10 is a refundable deposit. The deposit is returned when the trap comes back clean and in good working order. A late fee of $10 per day applies past the rental period. Deposits are not refunded for lost, damaged, or stolen traps. To rent for an additional cat, a new agreement must be signed.

Thank you for making a difference for the Community Cats of our area.